Zardari acquitted in ARY Gold and Ursus tractors case
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ISLAMABAD: Former president Asif Ali Zardari has been acquitted of two corruption charges by an accountability court
The former president has been acquitted in the ARY Gold and Ursus Tractor corruption references.
Accountability court judge Bashir Asif has set the hearing for the SGS and Cotecna reference on December 17.
After the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) illegal in 2009, NAB revived a number of corruption references, including the five in which Mr Zardari was also allegedly involved. These references were: Cotecna, Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS), ARY Gold, Ursus tractors and polo ground cases.
Since being president Zardari enjoyed immunity at that time, he did not face trial during the previous government.
However, all the co-accused persons in the five corruption references were acquitted during the tenure of the PPP government.
The LHC also received various complaints filed by the citizens based on press reports according to which in at least three major corruption cases against Mr Zardari – Cotecna, SGS, and ARY Gold - the authors while writing judgments used similar words, expressions and even paragraphs.
Subsequently, the LHC administrative committee/inspection team initiated an inquiry last year about complaints of ‘favourable’ decisions passed by the accountability courts of Rawalpindi in the corruption references against Mr Zardari.
The accountability court of Islamabad reopened the references after expiry of the term of Mr Zardari in October last year.
The former president, however, filed applications for his acquittal without facing trial after he made appearance in the accountability court earlier this year.
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Comments (69) Closed
Dec 12, 2014 10:43am
PPP is dead, long live Zardari.
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Dec 12, 2014 10:48am
Why NAB does not conduct inquiry about finances of Imran khan.
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Dec 12, 2014 10:50am
Yes yes, this is the time... quickly quickly everyone get acquitted!
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Dec 12, 2014 10:53am
Muk Muka!
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Dec 12, 2014 10:53am
This is the reason why PPP and Zardari is silent over the incompetency of the government.
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Dec 12, 2014 10:55am
Sad
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Dec 12, 2014 10:55am
Cleaning up before any change. what you both the persons in govt and opposition will do before ALMIGHTY on judgement day
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Dec 12, 2014 10:58am
All politicians are now angles. Thanks to pakistani judiciary. Just look at the wealth of Nawaz Sharif and Zardari. Is it posssible to make such fortunes out of salaries.
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Dec 12, 2014 11:02am
Laughable our courts and the immunity for all the corrupts.
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Dec 12, 2014 11:11am
You scratch my back I will scratch yours!!!
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Dec 12, 2014 11:12am
One would be curious to know at what cost or how much lost?
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Dec 12, 2014 11:13am
It is highly unlikely that Zardari would have been acquitted if Nawaz Sharif was not in power because both are collaborators and have kind of mutual understanding of protecting each other.
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Dec 12, 2014 11:18am
as expected
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Dec 12, 2014 11:27am
Yes! Status quo has to collapse very soon. All attempts to get clean would be frustrated once the crooked government and corrupt political culture is done away with.
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Dec 12, 2014 11:40am
Another episode of "Mook-Makoo" practices!
Real accountability is coming soon!
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Dec 12, 2014 11:46am
Just one word wah jee wah justice in Pakistan.
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Dec 12, 2014 11:47am
Only aa accountability court looking after blind kangaroos can acquit a known corrupt knob like Zardari. All this is happening in the name of "saving" the democracy.
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Dec 12, 2014 11:49am
Mukmuka.
Nawaz and Zardari saving this democracy.
May Allah enable us to get rid of this kind of democracy. AMEEN.
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Dec 12, 2014 11:49am
@Mohammad Iqbal From where Imran khan haS gained so much money.
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Dec 12, 2014 11:59am
Charter of Democracy being implemented in letter and spirit by NS after Zardari had done the same for NS during PPP"s tenure.
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Dec 12, 2014 12:18pm
Charter of Democracy is in full swing this is called "you scratch my back I would scratch yours" PPP PML (N) "struggle" for the stability of democracy zindabad !
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Dec 12, 2014 12:20pm
@Dr chachar Do you think NAB can do so ! even proven cases against Zardari (PPP) and Nawaz Sharif (PML-N) are being not pursued properly how come NAB can check the accounts of other leaders
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Dec 12, 2014 12:21pm
Yes I knew that Zardari is angel but ppl dont believe me.
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Dec 12, 2014 12:24pm
@Dr chachar
Because whatever IK has, he got it in a legitimate way. He has nothing to hide. He himself has offered many times that his assets may be checked by anyone? Can NS & Co. say the same thing for the wealth they have amassed? Moreover, do you think NS would have left him in peace if IK had something to hide?
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Dec 12, 2014 12:28pm
MUK MUKKA is getting visible with every passing day.
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Dec 12, 2014 12:28pm
Here is another proof, our judges can't figure out the who is crook & corrupt.
In our corrupt government, justice is sold to highest bidder and Zardari bought all the greedy judges. Inshallah God will save us from this unjustified justice. Thank God finally we have a leader , Imran Khan who really cares about average Pakistani. Don't worry MR.KHAN will reopen all the corruptions cases and they all will go jail.
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Dec 12, 2014 12:36pm
@Dr chachar Because NAB is itself corrupt.
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Dec 12, 2014 01:05pm
@Dr chachar "From where has Imran Khan so much money" which money are you talking about, the only big money that he has is his house in Bani Gala. You can read all about it, how he bought it and how it was built every rupee is accounted for just look up the web or ask the authorities.
If you know of any more wealth he has, please let us know with proof.
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Dec 12, 2014 01:13pm
NAB what is it, it is protector of corrupt politicians. Imran Khan is right that NAB is not a free.
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Dec 12, 2014 01:22pm
It seems only Swiss Court can deliver the verdict.
But then who will implement the verdict?
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Dec 12, 2014 01:27pm
@Dr chachar
You ask from where IK got all that money? It is not " all that money " but whatever IK has got is only through perfectly legitimate means. And you know it in your heart of hearts that his wealth is peanuts as compared to the indecently fabulous riches of NS. Please do not try to defend what is patently indefensible - that is the job of poor Pervaiz Rashid.
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Dec 12, 2014 01:49pm
Not only Zardari but politicians of PPP and PML(N) will keep only plundering the country, somebody will file the cases and Judiciary will always acquit them with Honour.
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Dec 12, 2014 02:02pm
.....does that make him innocent ?
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Dec 12, 2014 02:03pm
PML(N) and PPP Are 2 Sides Of The Same Coin.
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Dec 12, 2014 02:10pm
Dear zardari now you are clean and can take on PMLN for its incompetencies.
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Dec 12, 2014 02:30pm
Exactly same happen in India. All these politicians get exonerated from courts. This won't change until we bring ONLY honest people to the parliament and assemblies.
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Dec 12, 2014 02:47pm
warren Buffet says"petty thieves are in jails and correctional facilities, where as big thieves are in congress". respectable courts and Honourable My Lords will you take suo motto notice? ...........oh sorry wrong quarters.....
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Dec 12, 2014 03:01pm
With their own governments running the country which also includes the judiciary, how can not he be acquired?
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Dec 12, 2014 03:24pm
It is bizarre Zardari has walked free to enjoy his billions as ordered by the Lahore High Court with not even a rap on the knuckles. in fact Zardari is squeaky clean as if he took a dip in the River Ganges see the sins wash away. The Court system is due for urgent reforms so people in high office do not lean on the Court. It is what Imran Khan stands for, one law for all.
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Dec 12, 2014 03:49pm
This is why the PPP is standing behind the PML-N. They are and have been scratching each others backs.
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Dec 12, 2014 03:57pm
Who will bring back the 200000$ jewellery back to Pakistan?
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Dec 12, 2014 04:17pm
So this is the return for saving and protecting Nawaz Sharif Government, Mr. Zardari is equated on corruption charges . This must be a magic that both PPP and PML / N leaders not found guilty of any corruption charges by accountability court and certainly NAB will not pursue the charges either.
Justice zindabad in Pakistan ???
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Dec 12, 2014 04:31pm
Government by the politicians for the politicians....
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Dec 12, 2014 04:49pm
Many many heartiest congrats to all Pakistanis..... Keep sleeping...
Salute and hats off to our excellent courts and Judiciary system!!!!
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Dec 12, 2014 05:09pm
@Gopal Verma, The problem with South Asia is illiterate people go to vote for corrupt politicians, because they get few rupees for vote. Literate people don't go to vote because they don't want to stand in line to waste their precious time. After elections, they shout WOLF.
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Dec 12, 2014 05:22pm
There are many billionaires around the world including Indians and Pakistanis, Shahid Khan owner of Fulham FC, Mittel, Tata brothers, Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet etc etc etc with all of these guys you will be able to find clear evidence about their business dealings where and how they started and how they became billionaires.
I've searched all over the web tried so hard reading all sorts of business journals Financial Times, Economist, Wall Street Journal, Business insider looked everywhere and not a single article about the wealth and business of Sharif and Zardari. No one knows where that money came from and those who continue to support them are either traitors to their nation or simply so stupid that they dont deserve a vote.
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Dec 12, 2014 05:33pm
Another politically made case against Asif Ali Zardari by Saif ur Rehman has been proved wrong. Shame on all those who bash AAZ keeping in minds these false cases made by the Establishment and Sharifs in the 90s. History is proving that Democracy is the best revenge!
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Dec 12, 2014 05:35pm
When court decides in favor of PTI everything is fine and judiciary is independent. When decision is someone's else favor it is muk muka this is what IK has taught his supporter. We should learn to respect our institutions otherwise we will never get out of this muk muka and conspiracies theories.
May Allah show us right path. Long live Pakistan.
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Dec 12, 2014 05:50pm
@Dr chachar you just gave away the strategy of the government. Now that the authorities are free of these inconvenient distractions of judging the robbers, they can focus more closely on
IK.
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Dec 12, 2014 07:12pm
@M Rafique But before that its our duty to stand by right and do something
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Dec 12, 2014 07:42pm
Of course-as expected. The man gets away - again.
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Dec 12, 2014 08:36pm
It's painful to see Pakistan deteriorating day by day and heading towards becoming a banana republic. It's even more painfuland embarassing to see that politicians and others are the main cause and no one is taking action to stop them. Parties like PPP and PML(N) should be banned because they have not taken care of peoples life and country's wealth. No wealthy politician has ever been jailed for corruption. Every politician potrays himself/herself as an angel on tv shows.
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Dec 12, 2014 08:40pm
Zardari is not corrupt but the fake cases on him are giving the bad image of him to the whole world.
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Dec 12, 2014 08:45pm
I've a request to all of our honorable judges of higher courts, please throw away all corrouption cases against every political personality in Pakistan because this is only a burden on national treasury funds and no one is ever going to be found guilty. If you really want to provide justice then go after those terrorists who were acquited due to the lack of evidence against them and put them behind bars due to the "Doctrine of Necessacity" that was also approved by previous judges. Please help this nation, not the politicians.
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Dec 12, 2014 09:02pm
We need imran Khan.
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Dec 12, 2014 09:33pm
@NaveedJ Are you trying to say AAZ is not corrupt? You must be out of your mind.
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Dec 12, 2014 09:38pm
@Malik Hashim : Absolutely!!! Actually 'NAB' stands for ' NO ACCOUNTABILITY BUREAU ' !!!!!!
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Dec 12, 2014 09:45pm
@M.Furqan Mehind. Why him with so many cases all his life? Is he law suit prone person borned with?
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Dec 12, 2014 09:59pm
@M.Furqan Mehind. Why him with so many cases all his life? Is he an exception?
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Dec 12, 2014 10:13pm
Free at last till new cases arrive...! It's vicious cycle for Mr Zardari, no one can figure this out as to why he gets involved in the first place?
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Dec 12, 2014 10:32pm
Muk Muka at its finest. Long live Noon league-Zardari Alliance.
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Dec 12, 2014 11:02pm
Can we leave this guy alone. For last 20 years no one proved any thing .People I think lie or imagine. If he really a criminal than he run away like all the crook living abroad . In fact he really need respect for fighting for democracy which most of Pakistani don't understand.
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Dec 12, 2014 11:45pm
What a mockery of justice system. Big criminals committing high crimes go free and poor people are punished for petty crimes.
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Dec 12, 2014 11:49pm
This is perfect example of muk muka between zardari and sharif. Now you all know why IK was shouting on chairman NAB appointment and considering it as a muk muka between PPP and PML-N. as NS also acquittal from Hadibia mill case. The people who still support sharif and zardari should think and to be ashamed.
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Dec 13, 2014 01:06am
This is justice Pakistani style. All corrupt people are declared innocent and become very respectable. God help Pakistan
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Dec 13, 2014 01:11am
Now he is Sadiq and Amin!
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Dec 13, 2014 05:36am
Poor Zardari, so much to loot and so little time. He never did anything wrong. These slanderous accusations were made by people who are jealous or enemies of democracy. And now that the real democracy is in place, of course he has been found to be innocent, what's the big deal. Now, if we can just wrap up that little matter of 60 mil. in Swiss court and this other nagging issue of necklace, this poor man can live in peace and go back to his scheming and skimming!
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Dec 13, 2014 06:51am
Now you have been acquitted, please leave Pakistan for good with your family & your buddies. Thanking you in anticipation
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Dec 13, 2014 06:38pm
@dawn
Apart from the overwhelming opinion of the readers that the acquittal is the result of the arrangement agreed between NS and AAZ, could any of the following be the reason:
- The prosecution side has been won over and so does not prepare a watertight case
- The prosecution side is no match for the expensive defense assembled by AAZ
- The case suffers from inherent weakness as white collar crimes are difficult to prove
The above and other likely reasons need to be extensively looked into to save our judicial system from undue criticism.
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